Introduction

The best of the bunch

For a lesser-developed island on the Andaman coast, Ko Yao Noi has a good variety of places to stay. From a 500 baht a night bamboo shack to a 50,000 baht pool villa, Yao Noi has it all. Peeking into ... Read more.

Lom Lae beach

It's officially part of Pasai beach but this section of the beach at the southeastern tip of Yao Noi is often called Lom Lae after the resort that sits on it. Lom Lae Beach Resort shares this idyllic stretch of sands with the upmarket Koyao Bay Pavilions, the only developments to be found here. Swimming is possible only at high tide and the sunrise views are superb.

A unique luxury experience

17/11 Moo 4, Ko Yao Noi Rd, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 597 441;

Along the dirt road to the Lom'Lae resort, there's a turning that runs through rice paddies, usually populated by water buffalo cooling themselves in the watery muck and munching on the grass. You'd ... Read the full review of Koyao Bay Pavilions.

Beachfront bliss at a price

Moo 4, Ko Yao Noi Rd, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 597 486;

With a heap of outdoor activities on offer and a sprawling, out-of-the-way beachfront location, Lom'Lae highlights Ko Yao Noi's eco-friendly spirit. Each of its 10 bungalows have a distinct design, ... Read the full review of Lom'Lae Beach Resort.

Pasai beach

Found along the southeast coast of the island, Pasai is Yao Noi's most developed beach, but it's by no means busy. You'll find just a scattering of restaurants, bungalows and shops along the road and tucked away in the hills above, and plenty of space on the beach to lay a towel.

Cheap and colourful

Pasai beach, Ko Yao Noi
T: (089) 240 8326;

With its classic bamboo and thatch huts given some extra splashes of colour, Pasai Cottage shows that cheap doesn't have to be cheerless. The 10 simple yet solidly built fan bungalows stretch back in ... Read the full review of Pasai Cottage.

Family friendly but a touch overpriced

50 Moo 5, Ko Yao Noi
T: (081) 968 3841;

With a mix of fan and air-con wooden bungalows with big balconies, Pasai Beach Lodge is a peaceful, family-friendly place. Every room is equipped with either a double or twin beds, mosquito netting, ... Read the full review of Pasai Beach Lodge.

Spacious tropical gardens

52 Moo 5, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 454 213;

Set just back from the beach, this low-key resort has added several more bungalows in recent years but it still retains a tropical garden setting with tall coconut trees and plenty of space to swing ... Read the full review of Koh Yao Beach Bungalows.

Klong Jark beach

A pretty 1.5 kilometre stretch of white sands along the east coast, Klong Jark is home to some of Yao Noi's most luxurious resorts including Six Senses, which is tucked away on a headland just beyond its northern tip. Its sands are still completely non-exclusive, however, and it won't cost a single baht to sit in the shade and wade in the water here. Also called Long beach, it looks muddy and rocky at low tide, when it's not possible to swim. Not to be confused with Klong Jark on Ko Lanta.

Splashy pool villas

29/6 Moo 5, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 454 221;

If you want a peek into Yao Noi's fancier side, you could try a night or two at one of these nine contemporary villas, some with their own pool. Set around a large central swimming pool, each villa ... Read the full review of Villaguna Residence.

Gorgeous

24/2 Moo 5, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 597 474-6;

Set on the beachfront on a hidden stretch of sands, Koyao Island is a great example of how to blend luxury with low impact development. The thatch-roof bungalows sprinkled around the tropical garden ... Read the full review of Koyao Island Resort.

Really does have a great view

25/37 Moo 5, Ko Yao Noi Rd, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 597 325;

This is one of those rare places with 'viewpoint' in the name that actually delivers -- it's high up on a steep hill and the 180-degree view of the ocean from the balconies goes on forever. The rooms ... Read the full review of Tabeak Viewpoint Bungalow.

All a bungalow should be

29/2 Moo 5, Ko Yao Noi Rd, Ko Yao Noi
T: (081) 892 1827;

Sabai Corner sits on a prime beachfront position at the headland on the south end of Klong Jark. The 11-bungalow resort is run by an Italian expat who doesn't advertise, doesn't have a business card, ... Read the full review of Sabai Corner.

Tha Khao beach

The sands here may not be the finest but the views are divine. The tall island karsts of Phang Nga Bay can be seen in the distance and just offshore sits Ko Nui, a little tuft of jungle rising out from the sea that can be reached by walking along a white-sand spit at low tide. Tha Khao village and the pier where ferries to Krabi launch sit at its north end. This quiet beach is attracting some development, with a sprinkling of low-key bungalows near the water and up in the hills, plus a few beachfront restaurants. Swimming is possible only at high tide.

Quirky and clean

11/1 Moo 4, Baan Tha Khao, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 582 750;

Set just a quick hop across the road from the beach on Tha Khao's north end, Suntisook (also called Santisook) is a peaceful spot with a down-home feel. Each bungalow has a double bed, fridge and ... Read the full review of Suntisook Resort.

Classic Thai beach bungalows

23/2 Moo 4, Baan Tha Khao, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 582733;

With ample space along the beach, this place has the feel of an old-school, swing-free-in-your-hammock Thai beach bungalow. Originally built by the kayaking operator Sea Canoe, the bungalows are ... Read the full review of Baan Tha Khao Bungalow.

Tranquility on the sands

14/4 Moo 4, Baan Tha Khao, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 582718;

You'll want to rise early to catch the sunrise from the porch of these well-priced wooden bungalows set on the beachfront of Tha Khao's south end. Run by a friendly local family, each bungalow has ... Read the full review of Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow.

Flashpacker budget, five-star view

6/4 Moo 4, Ko Yao Noi, Phang Nga
T: (089) 593 9523;

If you’re on a flashpacker budget but seeking a five-star view, then look no further than Hill House bungalows, found on the hillside over Thakhao beach on Ko Yao Noi’s east coast.
Scenic spot ... Read the full review of Hill House.

Backpacker heaven

4/4 Moo 4, Baan Tha Khao, Ko Yao Noi
T: (087) 292 1102;

One of the cheapest choices on Ko Yao Noi, Nam Tok is found in a beautiful spot down a casuarina-lined lane just a few minutes' walk from the beach. Its cheaper, older fan bungalows are set around a ... Read the full review of Nam Tok Bungalow.

Nawik village

This is Ko Yao Noi's largest village, set on the southwest side of the island not far from Manoh pier, the main departure point for Phuket ferries. Though not terribly scenic, it's a good place to stay if you're in need of cost savings and convenience, with a number of eating spots, the island's sole hospital and bank, a fresh market and a 7-Eleven within easy walking distance.

A friendly family-run option

21/1 Moo 1, Ko Yao Noi Rd, Ko Yao Noi
T: (076) 597 278;

This is the only place to stay in the 'town centre'. You'll understand why we put quotes around 'town centre' when you see the 'town centre.' But that's what you gotta love about Ko Yao Noi. It ain't ... Read the full review of Bungalow Amina.

Laem Sai

The west side of the headland jutting out from the southern tip of Yao Noi has little in the way of beach but the fishing village ambience and views to Ko Yao Yai are lovely. At the south end sits Lamsai pier, where you could hire a longtail boat to scoot over to Yao Yai.

Pretty spot with a Muay Thai scene

34/8 Moo 5, Ko Yao Noi Rd, Ko Yao Noi
T: (082) 289 4276;

One of the few places to stay on Yao Noi with a sunset sea view, Lam Sai Village's beautiful tropical setting makes up for its lack of character. Rooms are set in a two-storey concrete building and ... Read the full review of Lam Sai Village Hotel.